TELEVISION

Beethoven's Piano Sonatas

Series: Beethoven's Piano Sonatas
4.7
(37)
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Episodes
24
Rating
TVPG
Year
2021
Language
English
Publisher
The Great Courses

About

Beethoven's 32 piano sonatas provide a window into his personal musical development and highlight the piano as an evolving instrument. Professor Robert Greenberg combines analysis of extensive musical excerpts with historical anecdotes, metaphors, and humor to show what goes on inside a musical composition and how Beethoven often broke all former rules to achieve a new, powerful effect.

Related Subjects

Episodes

1 to 3 of 24

1. Beethoven and the Piano

48m

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Professor Greenberg begins with a brief biography of Beethoven and the early history of the piano, followed by a discussion of the recordings of Beethoven's piano sonatas used throughout the series, performed by the distinguished pianist Claude Frank.

2. Homage to Mozart

45m

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This episode explores the Classical style that Beethoven inherited from Haydn and Mozart, highlighting some of its more notable features. Then we look at Beethoven's Piano Sonata no. 1 in F Minor, op. 2, no. 1, from 1795, as both an homage to Mozart and an example of Beethoven's pianistic audacity.

3. The Grand Sonata, Part 1

46m

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Beethoven's first four piano sonatas are four-movement works that are orchestral in scope, reflecting Beethoven's concept of the piano as a major instrument. We look at the second of his opus 2 set, Sonata no. 2 in A, as an example of these "grand sonatas."

4. The Grand Sonata, Part 2

46m

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Continuing your study of Beethoven's grand sonatas, examine Sonata no. 3 in C, no. 3, op. 2, and Sonata no. 4 in E flat, op. 7. In both these works, we see Beethoven's early artistic declaration that he was not interested in slavishly following the Classical tradition.

5. Meaning and Metaphor

45m

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In his three opus 10 sonatas, Beethoven continues his formula of composing a triad of starkly different works, ranging from darkly passionate to witty to grand. Look at the first of these pieces: Piano Sonata no. 5 in C Minor.

6. The Striking and Subversive, Op. 10 Continued

45m

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Piano Sonata no. 6 in F, op. 10, no. 2 remained a special favorite of Beethoven's for many years after its composition. Examine the elements that make it seem so playful, before turning to the grander work that concludes the opus 10 set: Piano Sonata no. 7 in D.

Extended Details

  • Closed CaptionsEnglish

Artists

The Great Coursesdirector
The Great Coursesproducer
Robert Greenbergactor